In their second match of the European tour, Nadeshiko Japan (Japan Women’s National Team) faced Norway Women’s National Team on Tuesday 28 October at Estadio Municipal de La Linea in Spain.

Against Norway, a side renowned for their aerial strength, Japan sought to dictate the tempo through quick, ground-based passing. At kick-off, MIYAZAWA Hinata (Manchester United) anchored the midfield, with TANAKA Mina (Utah Royals) dropping slightly deeper than usual in a 4-3-3 formation.

Norway immediately advanced down Japan’s right flank and produced the first shot of the match, but YAMASHITA Ayaka (Manchester City) dealt with it calmly. Early on, SEIKE Kiko (Brighton & Hove Albion) operated high up the pitch alongside Tanaka, who later said she wanted “to stay connected and challenge their back line.” HASEGAWA Yui (Manchester City) dropped slightly deeper to maintain balance in midfield.

As part of the tour’s overall theme, Japan looked to maintain high-intensity pressing, but they struggled to pin Norway back and occasionally allowed dangerous chances — with their defenders making courageous blocks to deny shots. However, in the 27th minute, Norway broke the deadlock on the counterattack.

Japan quickly regrouped, pushing forward collectively. In the 40th minute, FUJINO Aoba (Manchester City) latched onto a through ball from Miyazawa and found the net, only for the offside flag to go up.

In the second half, NAGANO Fuka (Liverpool FC) took over as the anchor, helping to stabilise both attack and defence as Japan began to find more rhythm, targeting spaces behind the Norwegian back line. Yet, in the 51st minute, Norway once again evaded Japan’s press and doubled their lead with another move down the left.

Despite a series of attacking changes and repeated forays into the Norwegian half, Japan were unable to break through the compact defensive block and ultimately fell to a 0–2 defeat.

Coach and Players' Comments

Nils NIELSEN, Head Coach of Nadeshiko Japan
A 0–2 result shows that Norway were quicker and stronger today, and our players’ performance is still not at the level we are aiming for. With only one more training camp before next March’s AFC Women’s Asian Cup, we must focus on addressing the areas where we are still lacking. The fact that we cannot yet complete our tasks to a satisfactory standard shows we are still half a step short. Today, rather than taking the initiative, we reacted too much to the opponent’s movements. If we fail to consistently display Japan’s strength in ball possession, matches like this will always be difficult. At next month’s camp, I want every player to show a strong desire to win and to pursue our own style of football with even greater conviction.

DF #13 SHIRAGAKI Uno (Cerezo Osaka Yanmar Ladies)
Before I went on, Coach Nils told me he wanted me to “create a goalscoring opportunity from the flank, either with a cross or by taking on the defenders.” I wasn’t nervous. The best chance I created was the flick to Momi-san (MOMIKI Yuka), which came from my determination to get involved and help create a goal. Playing for the national team for the first time, I felt how different Norway’s pace and physicality were compared to Japan’s. It reminded me that I need to adapt to that level — the speed of play, decision-making, passing and physical strength. I want to keep improving in all those areas, contribute more for my club, and continue striving towards higher standards.

MF #7 MIYAZAWA Hinata (Manchester United/England)
Defensively, it wasn’t that we hesitated to press — it was more about our timing being off. Whenever we pressed too late, Norway could easily dribble or pass around us. If we had recognised that and chosen to hold our press at times, we could have adjusted earlier. In attack, keeping the ball moving is important, but if we only move it from side to side, we don’t really threaten our opponents. We must look for moments to play inside and commit numbers forward; if it doesn’t work, we can reset and try again. We need greater creativity and more numbers in and around the box, while also raising the overall quality of our play.

FW #11 TANAKA Mina (Utah Royals/USA)
Before this tour, Coach Nils emphasised the importance of fighting for results and raising our intensity. After drawing with Italy, we worked to strengthen our defensive intensity and improve our pressing from the front line. However, as shown in the goals we conceded, opponents at this level can punish you with a single pass — which is why our pressing must be fully coordinated. It’s difficult when the opposition crowd the box, so we need better movement to receive between the lines, more runs in behind to create space, third-player combinations, and sharper entries into the penalty area. I’m disappointed with this result, but it clearly shows us what we need to improve.

International Friendly Match [10/28]

Fixture: Nadeshiko Japan vs Norway Women’s National Team
Date: Tue. 28 October 2025, 18:00 (Wed. 29 October, 2:00 Japan time)
Venue: Estadio Municipal de La Linea, La Linea, Spain
Match information

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